Combination desk and table



vS. L. MURRAY COMBINATION DESK AND TABLE Oct. 18, 1927. H I 1,645,769

Filed April 6, 1926 [708/7 78)" 50/06 Z. [Va/ r07.

Patented Oct. 18, 1927.

UNITED STATES SARAH L. MURRAY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

COMBINATION DESK AND TABLE.

Application filed April 6, 1926.

This invention relates to improvements in combination desks and tables. 7

An object of the invention is to provide a device which is primarily adapted to be used by invalids and persons reclining in bed or on a couch for supporting things before them. The device is particularly adapted to be used by invalids for supporting dishes and the like so as to serve as a table, and is capable of being adjusted so as to support books before them in a proper inclined position so as to facilitate reading. The device can also be used by other people, as, for example, students who wish to read or study while in a reclining position.

With the foregoing and other objects in View which will be made manifest in the following detailed description and specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference is had to the accompanying drawings for an illustrative embodiment of the invention, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device showing the device adjusted so as to form a table,

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1, showing the device adjusted to form an inclined support or desk.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line H of Fig. 2.

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout, the device consists of two end supporting members 10 and 11, shown as formed of two rectangular sections of material which may be wood or any other material. The exact form of the end supporting members may be varied and, of course, is immaterial. The end sup porting members 10 and 11 are held together in proper spaced relation by a forward transverse member 12 which is rigidly secured between the opposed faces of the end supporting members in an inclined position, so as to present an upwardly and forwardly inclined upper surface. As clearly shown in Fig. 3, the uppermost edge of the forward transverse member 12 is preferably so arranged as to be below the upper edges of the end supporting members 10 and 11. A rear transverse member 13 connects the rearward ends of the end supporting members 10 and 11 and cooperates with the transverse mem- Serial No. 100,050.

ber 12 to hold them in proper spaced relation. The under edge of the rearward transverse member 13 may be concaved or curved upwardly, as indicated at 14, if desired. A table top 15 is provided which is pivoted to the end supporting members 10 and 11 as by pintles 16 extending through the end supporting members and into the end edges of the table top 15, thus pivoting the table top 15- intermediate its forward and rear edges.

Adjacent the back of the table top 15 there are fastened suitable brackets 17 to which are pivoted links 18 having slots 19 formed therein. Upon the inside faces of the end supporting members 10 and 11 there are fixed studs 20, which are threaded and which extend through the slots 19 in the links 18 so that the links 18 can slide thereon. Ting nuts 21 are threaded onto the studs 20 and are capable of being screwed down against the links 18. In the position shown in Fig. 1, the table top 15 is lowered into horizontal position forming a substantially level table upon which articles may rest. WVhen the device is in this position, it can be used by invalids to support dishes, etc., for their meals by placing the device over the trunk or the legs of the invalid. It will be understood that the end supporting members 10 and 11 are positioned upon the outside of the legs of the invalid or other person in reclining posit-ion and that the articles may be supported on the table top 15, permitting him to easily reach any article supported thereon.

As shown in Fig. 2, the table top 15 is raised to an inclined position, which is per mitted by loosening the wing nuts 21 and swinging the table top upon the pintles 16. After the table top has reached the desired inclined position, it can be frictionally held in place by tightening the wing nuts 21. In this position itcooperates'with the forward transverse member 12 to support books papers, magazines and the like in proper position to facilitate reading. The inclined transverse member 12 is so arranged preferably to have its upper surface tangent to a circle about the pintles 16, so that when the table top 15 is raised into inclined position, its forward edge may fit against the transverse member 12 and prevent articles resting upon the ledge provided by the transverse member 12 from falling therebetween.

From the above it will be readily appresupport articles either in a horizontal or in clined position, and which is especially adapted to be used by invalids or other-pen sons in reclining positions.

It will be understood that various changes in the detail of construction may be made without departing from'tlie spiritor scope of the inventionasdefined by the appended claims;

I claim: v i

1. A combination desk and table comp'ris ing a pair of end supporting members, a forward transverse member presenting an inclined upper surface connecting theforward ends of said end supporting members, a rear transverse member connecting the rear ends of said supporting members, a table top pivoted to said a d supporting members slotted links pivoted to said tabletop, means providing studs .upon said end supporting members slidably extending into the slots in said links, and wing nuts threaded onto said studs 'ad apted to engage said links for holding the table top in adjusted position 2. A combination desk and table comprising -a pair of end support-ingmembers, a forward transverse member in the form of a .shelf rigidly secured between the opposed faces of the end supporting members in an inclined position with its uppermost edge below the upper edges of the end supporting members, a rear transverse member connecting the rearward ends of the end supporting members and cooperat-ing with the transverse member to hold the-supportin' anembers in proper spaced relation, a 'ta 1e top fitting loosely between the upper ends of the end supporting members and pivoted in place, the pivots being near the-forward'part of the top and the forward edge of thetop swinging loosely inside and above the trans verse member, brackets secured to the-lower face 'ofthe top near its rear edge and near its ends; slotted links connected to the brack'- ets, studs fixed to project; inwardly from the end supporting members through the slots in the links, and nuts for holding the linksin adjusted positions upon the stud'sto held the table top in adjusted position.

In testimony whereof I have signed iny name to this specification.

V SARAH L: MURRAY. 5 

